Boerne Independent School District has maintained its top A-rating from the Texas Education Agency every year since the state's accountability system was established, a distinction held by only 31 of the more than 1,200 districts in Texas. BISD is the only medium-large district in the greater San Antonio area to achieve this consistent recognition. Board Secretary Rich Sena, who is running for re-election, emphasized that the rating reflects a community-wide commitment to high standards across all 13 campuses, stating that standards are defined by what the district accepts rather than merely what it states.
The district's academic achievements become more significant considering the financial constraints under which they operate. Boerne ISD receives approximately $3,000 less per student than the average Texas school district under state funding formulas, placing it well below peer districts in per-pupil spending. The district spends roughly $10,000 per student compared to local private schools that charge between $18,000 and $30,000. Sena explained that this reality has forced the district to prioritize efficiency, noting that administrative reviews identified $1.5 million in efficiencies and reductions in central office and administrative overhead that could be redirected directly to classroom support.
Despite the funding gap, BISD graduates students at a 95 percent rate of College, Career, or Military Readiness, far above the state average of 82 percent. The district outperforms neighboring competitors including Alamo Heights, Dripping Springs, and Lake Travis while serving a student population with higher rates of poverty than those districts. This performance has been maintained even as the district has managed significant growth, expanding from 7,200 students when Sena joined the board in 2014 to more than 11,200 students currently. Sena attributed this sustained quality to deliberate investment in teachers and campus leadership, supported by a community that values education and governance focused on children's needs.
The board has earned the Texas Financial Integrity Rating System's Superior rating for 15 consecutive years, even as nearly 60 percent of districts statewide now face budget shortfalls. Sena connected this financial discipline directly to academic results, emphasizing that supporting classroom activities through proper teacher development, recruitment, and retention represents where educational priorities meet practical implementation. Sena testified before the Texas Senate Education Committee in support of the teacher retention allotment, which secured raises of up to $5,000 for educators across the state. Locally, a successful voter initiative last November raised starting wages for hourly district workers to $15 per hour and provided incremental raises for teachers, which Sena described as deserved recognition for staff in the area's only A-rated medium-large district.
Sena is running for re-election alongside Board President Kristi Schmidt, with both seeking to continue their service on a platform of academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and preserving community values. For more information about the campaign, visit https://www.senaforbisd.com/. Early voting for the May 2 election begins April 20 at locations including the Fair Oaks Ranch City Police Department headquarters and the Kendall County Annex across from Boerne High School, with Election Day voting available at Boerne City Hall or the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department.
